Chain hoist



Dec. 30, 1952 KAMLUKIN 2,623,731

CHAIN HOIST Filed April 15, 1948 Egg 5 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR.

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ArTa 4='Yv Dec. 30, 1952 KAMLUKlN 2,623,731

CHAIN HOIST Filed A ril 15, 1948 a Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. /aa e mmzwew Dec. 30, 1952 1, KAMLUKlN 2,623,731

CHAIN HOIST Filed A rii 15, 1948 3 Sheets$heet 3 INVENTOR. /6-0 Kama azm/ Patented Dec. 30, 1952 2,623,731 CHAIN HOIST Igor Kamlukin, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Badger State Gear Company, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 15, 1948, Serial No. 21,279

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in hoists and particularly to hoists of the suspended type and in which the load may be lifted by applying power to a shaft as by manually hauling on an endless chain.

The chain hoists heretofore constructed have the lift ratio or mechanical advantage fixed at a single value by the design of the hoist. Hence, the hand chain had to be pulled a number of feet equal to the desired distance of lift of the hook times the lifting ratio fixed by design of the hoist, for lifting both an empty or lightly loaded hook and a hook loaded to the full capacity of the hoist. The use of such hoists is therefore time consuming and workmen use the hoists only for the lifting of heavy loads.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a hoist in which the rate of load hook lifting is automatically varied dependent on the load thereon and is not dependent on the rate of movement of the means for applying power to the hoist.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hoist in which the lifting ratio of the hoist is automatically shifted to one of two values dependent only on the load on. the hoist hook and in which the value selected cannot change until the load is changed.

And a further object of the invention is to provide a hoist of the suspended type, of rugged construction, with fewer parts than were required heretofore and including only readily manufactured and easily assembled structural elements heretofore proved capable of satisfactory and extended use, with a minimum of maintenance, in performing the functions required of such elements in the present invention.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is an elevation of one end, herein designated as the right hand end, of the hoist.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section on an enlarged scale and on an axial plane longitudinally of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the structure in the right hand end of the hoist, as seen in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the structure in the left hand end of Fig. 2, and with portions broken away, and

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of nor- 2 tions of the structure shown in the left hand end of the hoist, as seen in Fig. 2.

Generally, the present device includes a frame which is substantially tubular and on which are mounted a plurality of partial housings for the operating portions of the structure, one of the housings also serving as a suspension for the hoist, when the hoist is in use. A shaft is rotatably supported in and extends beyond the ends of the tubular portion of the frame, in bearings which are capable of withstanding axial thrust. A sprocket or other power applying means is mounted on the shaft at one end and such sprocket coacts with a brake expansible into engagement'with the frame, when actuated by the shaft upon reverse rotation thereof, to hold the shaft and the parts mounted thereon against such reverse rotation. A sprocket or drum is rotatably mounted on the frame for receiving a chain or cable by which a load may be moved upon rotation of the shaft.

The shaft and the load sprocket or drum are connected by planetary gearing transmitting power therebetween and at a ratio depending on the load. A part of such gearing is automatically engaged with or disengaged from a portion of the frame for changing the gearing ratio dependent on a thrust developed by the gearing proportionately to the load. The engaging-disengaging device includes a band expansible into contact with the frame, and means for (2on tracting the band when the load exceeds a predetermined value. Such means includes a shifter actuated responsive to thrust developed in the gearing and controlling movement of a ring engaged with the band.

The power applying and load supporting sprockets are suitable sealed to the frame for retaining lubricant about the bearings and the gearing which comprise the operating elements requiring such lubrication.

The drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention in which reference numeral l0 designates a first frame member having a generally tubular portion I l with a flange portion I2 extending radially from the periphery of the tubular portion and intermediate the ends thereof to receive a partial housing or hood l3 having a suspension plate l4 extending therefrom. Such first frame member also has an enlarged tubular portion l5 defining a recess of considerable size at one end of the member. A second frame member I8 is keyed on the first frame member In and is also generally tubular with an enlargement at one end formed by concentric walls l9 and 28 for substantially defining several concentric recesses of material size.

Shaft 24 extends through and beyond the ends of frame members Ill, [8 and is mounted in antifriction bearings 25, 26 in the enlarged end portions of such members, the bearings being of a type to withstand axial thrust thereon. The right hand end of shaft 24 (as seen in Fig. 2) has mounted thereon means for applying power to the shaft, such as a sprocket wheel 32 engaged by a chain 33 and the sprocket carries a disklike cover 3d enclosing the end of the shaft. A flange 35 extends laterally from the sprocket 32 to coact with the frame wall portion 5 for receiving and retaining a seal 36 to keep lubricant in the space about the bearing 25.

A partial flange 39 i formed on the sprocket 32 inside of and concentric with the flange 35 and coacts with an enlargement 40 (see Fig. 3) in the frame wall it, in definin a groove in which a resilient band 4! is placed. The band l! is non-continuous and tends to expand into the groove and the ends d2 of the band are turned inwardly for engagement by the ends of the partial sprocket flange 39 and by a lug d3 fixed on the shaft 24 and extending therefrom between the band ends 62. Thus, when sprocket 32 is turned, one of the ends of partial flange 39 will engage one of the ends d2 of the band and will tend to bring the said one band end toward the other band end, thus somewhat contracting the band and allowing the band to slide in its inclosing groove as rotation of sprocket 32 continues. Hence, the shaft 2dand lug 23 may be rotated with only a minimum frictional engagement with the frame. However, any rotation of shaft 24 and of lug A3 in a direction reverse to the direction of prior movement, will bring the lug t3 intcontact with one of the band end 22 and will expand the band i! into gripping frictional engagement with the groove surface in the frame member Ill thus braking any reverse rotation of the shaft and sprocket 32 without effort on the part of the hoist operator.

A second sprocket wheel or drum 50 of smaller pitch diameter than sprocket 32, is mounted on bearings 51, 52 supported on the frame tubular portion H and receives a cable or chain 53 fastened at one end to the frame flange I2 as at 54, a hook 55 being mounted on the other chain end for engaging a load to be lifted or lowered. A flange 58 extends laterally from the sprocket 59 (toward the right hand end of the hoist) to coact with the frame member if! in receiving and retaining a seal i} similar to the seal 36 and serving a similar purpose. Another flange E0 on the load chain sprocket 56, has mounted thereon a bell-shaped housing E5! for the power transmitting and speed changing mechanism to be described. The housing bell 6| is attached in liquid tight relation to the sprocket flange 68 so that lubricant maybe retained therein by the seals 36 and 59 for lubricating the bearings El, 52 and the mechanism inclosed in the housing.

The means for transmitting power between the power applying sprocket 32 and shaft 24 and the load sprocket 5%) comprises a cage fixed to the end of the shaft it toward the left hand end of the hoist beyond the bearing 2%, and which includes a disk portion 65 with arm portions t5 extending from the periphery of the disk toward the load sprocket 5i? and parallel with the axis of the shaft 2%. A ring it? is fastened to the ends of the cage arm portions 66 to coact with the cage disk portion 655 in defining a circular space. A plurality of pins 68, 69 extend between the cage disk (55 and cage ring 57 to serve respectively as axles for planet gears and for mounting a speed changing mechanism. By reference to Fig. 4, it will be seen that there are three cage arm portions 66 with three axles 68, all equidistantly spaced about the periphery of the cage but, of course, any desired number of such parts may be used. Strips 19 are fixed to the cage disk 65 by screws ll and engage the axles 8B and pins 69 to prevent rotational or axial movement thereof.

A plurality of similar planet gears (see Figs. 4 and 5) having gearing portions (3 and T4 spaced from each other, are mounted on bearings 15 on the axles 68, the bearings being of the type allowing rotational and axial movement of the gears on the axles. (The planet gears being similar, reference is made particularly only to the planet gear associated with the speed changing mechanism.) The planet gear portion 13 is of the spur gear type meshing with a spur type ring gear 16 fitting on the annular portion IQ of the frame member I8 andv in, contact with a surface of the cage disk 65. The planet gear portion M, is a spiral gear type meshing with a spiral type ring gear 11 fixed on the load sprocket 50 as by screws 78 and is partially supported by bearing 52. It will be understood that the spiral and spur type gears above described may be interchanged if desired.

The transmission of power from shaft 24 to load sprocket. 5!] depends on the engagementwith or disengagement from the frame member flange 29, of the spur gear ring "it. Such gear ring (see Figs. 4 and 6) has a pin 19 extending sidewise from the gear for engagement between the ends 81', 82 of a non-continuous and substantially cylindrical band 89 which is resilient and tends to expand into frictional engagement with the inner surface of the frame flange 20 and thus hold the spur ring gear to the frame. The band has two notches 83, 84 in one edge therefor for engagement with a speed changer actuated by the planet gears, responsive to the load supported by the chain 53.. The speed changerincludes a control ring 96 surrounding the clutch band 80, the control ring being provided with ears BI and 92 extending inwardly for engagement respectively in, the notches 83 and 84 of the clutch band, and being provided with an car 93 extending outwardly from the periphery of the ring.

Pins 69 support a shifter 95 (see Fig. 5) positioned over one of the planet gears and extending between the planet gear portions 13, 14 for contact with the side of the gear portion 13. Helical compression springs 97 arev severally mounted on the pins 69 to bear on the cage ring El and on the shifter to urge the shifter toward the spur-gear end (left hand end) of the transmission. A lug 98 extends from the shifter for engagement with the control ring ear 93 upon movement of the shifter toward the spiral-gear end of the transmission against the resistance of the springs and as a result of the thrust produced by the gearing and acting on the planet gears. Such engagement between the shifter lug 98 and the control ring car 93 results in change of speed of load lifting for thesame movement of the power applying sprocket 32 as will, now be described.

Although the speed changing mechanism. has been shown as associated with only one of the planet gears, it will be understood that any number of such gears may have an associated speed change mechanism cooperatively taking part in the speed changing operation.

When the hook 55 is to be raised empty, i. e., without a load thereon or only lightly loaded, it is desirable that the hook be moved as rapidly as possible and with the minimum length of movement of the hand chain 33. Hauling on the hand chain rotates the sprocket 32 o bring the partial flange 39 thereof into contact .With an end 42 of the brake band 4|. Pressure on the thus engaged brake band end then draws such engaged end toward the other end of the band so that the band is contracted to have only a minimum of frictional engagement in its groove and hence have substantially no braking effect on the rotation of the sprocket.

Rotation of the power applying sprocket 32 rotates shaft 24, cage 65, 66, 61 and the several planet gears l3, l4 engaged with ring gears 16 and H. The spiral gear Tl then produces an axial thrust on the gearing which tends to move the planet gears toward the spiral end (right hand end) of the transmission but, the hook being empty, the thrust is not sufficient to overcome resistance of the springs 91. The springs accordingly hold the shifter 96 in the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the shifter lug 98 (see Fig.4) engages the control ring ear 93 and holds such ring against rotation.

Control ring ears 9| or 92 now engage the band notch 83 or 84 (dependent on the direction of rotation) and draw the engaged end of such band toward the other end thereof thereby contracting the band 80. The band 80 may now rotate with spur gear ring 16 due to engagement of the gear pin 19 with the end of the band 80. The ring gear 16 therefore rotates with the cage 65-61 and the planet gears 13, 14 remain stationary on their axles. Spiral gear 11 and load sprocket 50 now rotate with the cage and with the power sprocket 32 so that the only mechanical advantage obtained is due to the difference in pitch diameter of the two sprockets. The empty hook is accordingly lifted substantially at the same rate as the hand chain is hauled, the ratio in the present instance being approximately 1.3 to 1.

The above action also takes place so long as the load on the hook 55 is below the value developing sufficient axial thrust in the gearing to overcome resistance of the springs 91. Hence, light loads are also lifted at a high ratio.

However, when the load on hook 55 is such that the axial thrust produced in the gearing exceeds the force of the springs, the planet gear I3, 14 moves the shifter 96 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, so that its lug 98 is no longer engageable by control ring ear 93. Hence, control ring ears 9|, 92 no longer act to contract clutch band 80 and the band expands, due to its own resilience, to seat firmly on the frame flange 29. Pin 19 on the spur ring gear 16 is trapped between the ends of band 89 and movement of the pin merely tends to expand and more firmly seat the band on frame flange 20. Each revolution of the cage 65-61 now causes the several planet gears I3, 14 to rotate on their axles 6B and in the same direction, by a number of turns determined by the ratio of the teeth of the spur ring gear 16 to the teeth of the spur end 13 of the planet gears. The spiral gear end 14 of the planet gears now rotates the spiral ring gear 11 in a direction opposite to the direc- 6, tion of rotation of the cage and at a speed equal to the number of turns per cage revolution of the planet gear times the ratio of the number of teeth on planet gear end 14 divided by the num-v ber of teeth of the spiral gear ring 11. Hence, the load sprocket 50 turns at a lower rate of speed than the power sprocket 32, the ratio of movement of the two sprockets times the difference in pitch diameter of the sprockets, determining the mechanical advantage of the hoist. The ratio of the power sprocket rotation to the load sprocket rotation at the lower gear ratio, in the present instance, is approximately 32 to 1.

It will of course be understood that the ratios of both the pitch diameter of the sprockets or the ratios of the spur ring gear and planet gears or of the spiral ring gear and planet gears, may

be varied to give different lifting ratios. The speed shifter springs may also be varied to produce changing of the load lifting speeds at any desired value of load on the hook.

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it

- will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A hoist comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a sprocket for applying ower to the shaft, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame for movement of a load upon rotation of the shaft, a planetary gearing train including a spiral ring gear and planets having a spiral portion for producing an axial thrust dependent on the load thereon, the planet gears shifting axially a the thrust varies, and means actuated by movement of the planet gears for engaging and disengaging the frame and a portion of the gearing and thereby changing the gear ratio upon increase in the thrust above a given value.

2. A hoist comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a sprocket for applying power to the shaft, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame for movement of a load upon rotation of the shaft, a planetary gearing train including a spiral ring gear and planets having a spiral portion for producing an axial thrust dependent on the load thereon, the planet gears moving axially as the thrust varies, means for automatically engaging one of the planetary ring gears with the frame, said means being actuated by the planet gears for thereby changing the gear ratio of the gearing train upon axial movement of the planet gears above a predetermined value, said means being ineffective below the predetermined value.

3. A hoist comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a sprocket for applying power to the shaft, a sprocket, rotatably mounted on the frame for movement of a load upon rotation of the shaft, gearing for transmitting power between the shaft and the load sprocket, the gearing including spiral gears for producing a thrust axially thereof varying as the load on the load sprocket varies, a band resiliently urged into contact with the frame for engaging a portion of the gearing thereto, and means actuated by the gearing thrust for drawing the band out of contact with the frame whereby the ratio of the gearing is changed when the load on the load sprocket is above a predetermined value.

4 Ahoist comprising a frame, a. shaft. rotatablysupported by the frame, a. sprocket on the shaft; for applying power thereto, sprocket rotatably' mounted on the frame. for movement of a load. upon rotation of the shaft, gearing for transmitting power between the shaft and. the load. sprocket, the. gearing including spiral gears for producing. an axial. thrust varyingv as the load on the load. sprocket: varies and axially moving portions of the. gearing, a band. resiliently urged. into contact. with the. frame for engaging a portion of the gearing. thereto, a control. ring engageable with. the band. for drawing the band out of contact with the frame, and means moved by the axially moved gearing portion for releasing the" control ring whereby the band is. drawn out of contact with the frame and the gearing: ratio ischanged dependent on the load; being. lifted.

5.. A. hoist comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably supported by the frame, a sprocket on the shaft for applying power thereto, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame for movement. of a load upon rotation of the shaft, gearing for trans.- mitting power between the shaft and the load sprocket, the gearing including spiral gears for producing a thrust axially thereof varying as the load on the load sprocket varies and axially moving a portion of the gearing, a band resiliently urged into contact with the frame for engaging a portion of the gearing thereto, a control ring engageable with the. band for drawing the band out of'contact with the frame, means for holding the. control rin out of engagement with the band until moved by the gearing responsive to the thrust thereon, and means resisting the movementof the control ring holding means whereby the control ring is held in inoperative position until the gearing thrust exceeds a predetermined value.

6. A hoist comprising a frame, a shaft rotatably supported in and extending through the frame, a. sprocket mounted on the shaft for applying power thereto, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame for movement of a load upon rotation of the shaft, gearing for transmitting power between the shaft and the load sprocket, the gearing including sin le helical gears for producing a. varying thrust. axially thereon as. the load. on the load sprocket varies and axially moving a portion of the gearing, a band resiliently urged into contact with the frame for engaging a portion of the gearin thereto, a control ring en..- gageable with the band for drawing the. band: out of contact with the frame, a shifter holding the control ring in inoperative position until movement, of the shifter into a given position, the shifter being moved. by gearing. movement. responsive tov th thrust developed thereby, and springs for holding the. shifter out of engagement with the control. ring until a predetermined force is, exerted. on the springs.

7. A. hoist comprising. a substantially tubular frame, a housing fixed on the. frame for suspending the hoist, a shaftrotatably supported in and extending through the frame, a sprocket mounted 6.

on the shaft for applying power thereto, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the. frame for movement of a. load, a second housing joined with theload' sprocket and rotatable therewith, a cage fixed on the shaft, speed-reducing gearing for connecting the cage with the load sprocket, and means actuated responsive to. the load on the gearing for engaging the frame with the gearing for reduced speed transmissionof the power from the cage to the load sprocket, said means disengaging the frame and gearing for full speed transmission of power at loads below a given value.

8. A hoist: comprising a substantially tubular frame, a housing fixed on the frame for suspending the hoist, a shaft rotatabl y supported in and: extending through the frame, a sprocket-mounted on the shaft for applying power thereto, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame for movement of a load, a second housing joined- With theload sprocket and rotatable therewith, a cage fixed on the shaft and extending about a portion of the frame and inclosedin the second housing, speed reducing gearing mounted in thecage for connecting the cage with the load sprocket, and means mounted on the frame and actuated by the gearing responsive to the load thereon for engaging the frame with the gearing for reduced speed transmission of power fromthe cage to the load sprocket, said means disengaging theframe and gearing for full'speed-transmission of power at loads below a given value.

9. A hoist comprising a frame, a shaft rotatabl-y supported by the frame, a sprocket mounted on the'shaft and engageable therewith for-supplying power thereto, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the frame for movement of a load upon rotationof the shaft, gearing mounted between the shaft andthe frame and engageable with the load sprocket for transmitting power between the shaft and the load sprocket, a band mounted adjacent to and expansi'ble into contact with the frame upon axial movement of a portion of the gearing for engaging another portion of the gearing to the frame, a control ring engageable with the gearing and the band for contracting the band out of contact with the frame, and: a shifter for holding the control ring in a given position until the load exceeds a predetermined value and thereupon releasing the control ring for expansion of the band and thereby varying the ratio of the gearing.

IGOR KAMLUKIN."

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS. 

